A Legacy of Excellence
hall of fame
Like many events, our 6th Hall of Fame has been postponed by the pandemic--until now! We hope to honor a new class of outstanding faculty & alumni in a special ceremony in the Fall, so we want your nominations by May 1, 2022.
How-to Nominate:
1) Read below to see who has already been honored
2) Read the nomination form and gather ALL the information needed
3) Fill in the form and submit (self-nominations are not accepted)
If you’ve nominated someone in the past, they are still on our list and continue to be under consideration. Any nominations made after May 1, 2022 will be held for our next class in 2023.
Celebrating our 5th Class
On the evening of Thursday October 3, 2019, we were excited to recognize the eight new members of our Hall of Fame who have all excelled in their chosen fields and given back to their communities. The list included chart-topping songwriters, record-setting athletes, award-winning architects, local leaders, inventors, as well as educators and philanthropists.
We were joined by 300 guests to celebrate the new Hall of Fame members as part of the Homecoming Week festivities. The honorees gathered in front of in the Robert B. Wentz Theater at 6:30pm to kick off a meet-and-greet hour
with the Sailor community. The ceremony commenced at 7:30pm with Bob Rogers (Class of 1968 and previous Hall of Fame honoree) serving as MC. Four other past honorees (Marshall “Duffy” Duffield, Dennis O’Hern, James “Walkie” Ray, and Justice David Thompson) introduced our new Hall of Fame class.
Each of our “great eight” who spoke offered wisdom about how to approach life with thoughtfulness and enthusiasm.
The six Alumni inductees include:
The Honorable Selim S. Franklin, Class of 1947, devoted community leader
Bruce Penhall, Class of 1975, charismatic champion
Rolly Pulaski, Class of 1953, civic-minded architect
Sharon Sheeley, Class of 1957, groundbreaking songwriter
Suzanne Shriner, Class of 1985, multitalented global citizen
Hal Smith, Class of 1944, altruistic inventor
The two honored Faculty are:
Jules Gage, innovative athletic director at NHHS 1949-58, 1967-83
Mary Lyons, creative English teacher at NHHS 1965-82
It was a wonderful evening, and you can see photos from the event here:
Our Hall of Fame tradition began in June of 2014, when the Newport Harbor High School Alumni Association inducted our first class of Alumni and Faculty. We have recognized champion athletes, brave military personnel, cutting-edge scientists, public servants, artists, writers and actors, as well as beloved teachers, coaches, and administrators—all individuals who reflect our alma mater’s most cherished values of good citizenship and service to others.
Take a look at our past honorees for inspiration, and then let us know who you think should be included next time. We are always accepting nominations, so help us find excellent Alumni and Faculty. To nominate a special NHHS Sailor, please fill in this information:
Each Hall of Fame ceremony has been unique, including a special moment our first year when Dr. Don Miyada, Class of 1942, returned to finally walk at graduation 72 years late. You won’t want to miss out, so make sure to sign up for our newsletter to be the first to hear about our next event!
FEATURED Hall of Fame Moment
Dr. Don Miyada (Class of 1942) began at Newport Harbor High School in 1938, unaware that in the next few years, world events would keep him from his graduation day. In the spring of 1942, Don Miyada and his family were sent to the Poston War Relocation Center, a Japanese Internment camp in Arizona. He treasured the NHHS diploma he received at Poston by mail, because many of his peers from other schools were not given their diplomas; however, he missed the opportunity to celebrate this accomplishment. When the Seniors of the Class of 2014 learned of Dr. Miyada’s story, they were so moved they decided to invite him to be a part of their own ceremony, and so right a decades-old wrong.
Check out our Interview Series!
We're excited to partner with local radio KOCI 101.5 FM (streaming on-line at KOCIRadio.com) for a series of interviews with outstanding NHHS Alumni and Staff. Enjoy hearing from your favorite former teachers & interesting classmates to bring back the good memories!
1st Class Inductees
Albert Irwin
Albert Irwin, Class of 1937, legendary athlete, educator and coach, was the first four year, five sport letterman (basketball...
George James
George James, renowned watercolor artist and Class of 1950, began his journey in art classes at NHHS...
MacGillivrays
Greg and Dr. Barbara Smith MacGillivray, innovative filmmakers and stewards of the environment, started...
Frank Marshall
Frank Marshall, Class of 1964, transformative power in the entertainment and sporting industries...
Misty May-Treanor
Misty May-Treanor, the greatest athlete in the history of beach volleyball, established her initial determination...
Dr. Miyada
Dr. Don Miyada, Class of 1942, accomplished professor and resilient patriot, arrived at NHHS in 1938, unaware...
Jim Newkirk
Jim Newkirk, outstanding athlete, philanthropist, and educator, began his life of community service at NHHS...
James Seely
James Seely, Rear Admiral US Navy, dauntless pilot and patriot, graduated from NHHS in 1950, as varsity in...
Anthony Zerbe
Anthony Zerbe, star of stage and screen, graduated from NHHS in 1954, and has spent more than fifty years passionately...
George Yardley
George Yardley, basketball legend, attended NHHS in the 1940s, where he dribbled his way across the courts that now...
Sidney Harold Davidson
Sidney Harold Davidson laid NHHS’s foundation of excellence as the school’s first principal. A graduate...
Webster J. Jones
Web Jones, outstanding educator and a founding father of NHHS’ Heritage Hall, was a leader on campus for...
Ralph King Reed
Ralph King Reed, revered coach and athletic director, started teaching at NHHS in 1930, as one of the first...
Ruth Stoever Fleming
Ruth Stoever Fleming was NHHS’s first librarian in 1938, and worked tirelessly to bring quality visual art to...
Robert B. Wentz
Robert B. Wentz began his monumental career as a drama teacher at NHHS in 1947, after serving in the US Army as...
2nd Class Inductees
Maria Arena Bell
Maria Arena Bell, Class of 1981, writer, producer, community leader, began her path to success at NHHS. She wrote for the...
Dr. Joseph C. Corbo
Dr. Joseph C. Corbo, Class of 1986, ground-breaking scientist and linguist, sparked his sense of discovery at NHHS. He threw...
David Emmes
David Emmes, Class of 1957, actor, director, founder, discovered his love of theatre at NHHS in the Senior play. He...
A.G. Kawamura
A.G. Kawamura, Class of 1974, global agricultural leader, planted the seeds of his future service by acting as Junior...
Aaron Peirsol
Aaron Peirsol, Class of 2002, international swimming champion, set NHHS and international records. He...
James “Walkie” Ray
James “Walkie” Ray, Class of 1963, builder, philanthropist, community visionary, began the foundation for his...
Bob Rogers
Bob Rogers, Class of 1968, filmmaker, inventor, master story-teller, launched his career at NHHS by co-writing and...
Gregg Schwenk
Gregg Schwenk, Class of 1986, entrepreneur, film aficionado, educator, began leading at NHHS as class President...
Steve Timmons
Steve Timmons, Class of 1977, three-time Olympic medalist in Volleyball, inspired coaches and peers on the NHHS...
Irene Worth
Irene Worth, Class of 1933, actress of stage, screen, and radio, arrived at NHHS as Harriet Abrams. She delighted...
Bill Barnett
Bill Barnett, revered Water Polo coach, began his unprecedented 49 years at NHHS in 1966. At Fullerton College and...
B. Roscine Feeley
B. Roscine Feeley, inspiring English teacher and art lover, arrived at NHHS in the early 1940s. She grew up in...
Fabian Giroux
Fabian Giroux, life-changing History teacher and consummate intellectual, joined NHHS in 1961. A Canadian immigrant...
Dennis O’Hern
Dennis O’Hern, stimulating teacher and globe-trekker, arrived at NHHS in 1965, after earning degrees at OCC and...
Donald J. Ulander
Donald J. Ulander, patriot and educational pioneer, served our country in the US Marine Corps from 1946-55. In China...
3rd Class Inductees
Stuart Cooper
Stuart Cooper, Class of 1960, thought-provoking actor and director, discovered a lifetime of artistic inspiration in...
E. Gene Crain
E. Gene Crain, Class of 1951, world-class art collector and philanthropist, excelled on the NHHS Baseball team as...
Marshall “Duffy” Duffield
Marshall “Duffy” Duffield, Class of 1970, inventive nautical engineer, made a difference on the NHHS Football...
David A. Grant
David A. Grant, Class of 1956, intrepid educator and sailor, set his course for success from NHHS where he started...
Dr. Mahlon DeLong
Dr. Mahlon DeLong, Class of 1956, ground-breaking neurologist, led at NHHS as Student Body...
Greg Laurie
Greg Laurie, Class of 1971, inspirational pastor, transferred to NHHS, where he found the faith he would dedicate his...
Ted McGinley
Ted McGinley, Class of 1976, dedicated and charismatic actor, brightened the Water Polo team at NHHS as an All-American...
Roger Neth
Roger Neth, Class of 1944, protector of the people, made an impact at NHHS on the 1942 Sunset League Champion...
Dr. Sandi Smith
Dr. Sandi Smith, Class of 1965, cutting-edge communications researcher, enjoyed her time at NHHS as Freshman...
Justice David Thompson
Justice David Thompson, Class of 1974, thoughtful community advocate, began his search for his life’s work at...
Ken Bauermeister
Ken Bauermeister, standard-setting Social Studies teacher, grew up in Iowa playing sports. After serving in the...
Ellen Caricof
Ellen Caricof, skilled P.E. instructor, arrived at NHHS in 1950, after studying at UCLA. She spent the next 38 years...
Marie Hiebsch
Marie Hiebsch, founding Music teacher, played the violin with the Hollywood Symphony Orchestra, and earned...
Robert M. House
Robert M. House, adventurous environmental educator, studied at Pepperdine and CSULB, and in 1955 began a teaching...
Jerry Tagami
Jerry Tagami, creative English teacher, was born in the Gila River Japanese War Relocation Center where his family...
4th Class Inductees
America Arias
America Arias, Class of 2005, forward-thinking journalist, began reaching for future success at NHHS as a...
Dr. Ingrid Buhler Pisetsky
Dr. Ingrid Buhler Pisetsky, Class of 1963, compassionate psychiatrist, flourished at NHHS in the Larkettes choir...
Tris Imboden
Tris Imboden, Class of 1969, expert musician, inherited a love of music from his parents and got his start in local surf bands...
Jerome Keithley
erome Keithley, Class of 1934, dedicated public servant, walked through the doors on NHHS’s opening day. He was...
Don Cantrell
Don Cantrell, Class of 1950, insightful writer and historian, distinguished himself on the NHHS Football field as...
Chief Tom Gazsi
Chief Tom Gazsi, Class of 1979, law enforcement leader, continued his education at OCC and USC. While still in...